I have been finding it difficult to source relevant data on the present structure of education. Fortunately I have just found the latest stats from the Dept for Children, Schools and Families.
That shows some 25000 schools in England with 8.1 million pupils. For a summary table, click here.
I am now searching for basic data on the financing and budgetary side. If you know where it is best obtained please le me know. I want to research suitable sources so as to ensure that any policy ideas for the future are based on the realities of today.
Friday 25 January 2008
Statistics on the present education system
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On class size, I note:
Average Number Over 30%
Primary 26.2 14.4
Secondary 21.2 11.0
I cannot find figures on the independent sector, which is 9% of total pupils.
Two points:
1) Independent sector averages must be considerably lower. I rarely attended a class of greater than 15, the average probably about 12.
2) In business when teaching (as opposed to lecturing), I found
optimal class size to be 8 to 12.
My conclusion is that class size must be considerably reduced in the maintained sector.
I understand from a recent Guardian article that (simplified)good teachers gravitate to the independent sector. The reasons given included a) a better level of pay and ancillary benefits such as subsidised housing and reduced cost education b)a higher level of job satisfaction from teaching high achieving children in smaller classes in better facilities.
There is a fundamental weakness in a system which encourages teaching talent to move to where the needs are least.
My conclusion is obvious. We must implement a system in which our best teachers are motivated to teach where the educational challenges are greatest.
Measurement,Statistics,Standards, Testing.
These are areas that attract great criticism:
* too many meaningless statistics
* much time wasted gathering them
* little good information
* too much testing
* changing standards
The measurement system should:
1)monitor the proper and efficient running of the system
2)identify weaknesses for improvement
3)indicate to all the achievement of those within it against defined and accepted national and international standards
4)balance demand with supply
5)be as limited as possible and the only source of information and measurement.
Gov stats show 2284 independent schools with 577670 pupils.
Small class sizes may be ideal but can we afford them?
I not the comment and difference with lectures. I have always wondered though how useful a lecture is for the pupils. Do they learn or is it an ego trip for the lecturer?
Pity the table did not come out as typed.Here goes again.
1)Average number in class Primary schools 26.2 pupils Secondary schools 21.2 pupils.
2)% of total maintained school pupils in classes of more than 30 pupils Primary 14.4% Secondary 11.0%
That is the problem. You cannot teach properly when classes have these numbers.
You cannot lecture pupils before the tertiary education stage. Teaching cannot take place effectively in classes of more than 15. The rest is politics!
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